Oregon’s largest Cider Festival returns
Cider Summit Portland, the area’s largest cider tasting festival, will be held in Portland June 10 and Jun 11 at The Fields Park, 1099 NW Overton St. in Portland’s Pearl District. This year, Cider Summit returns to an in-person celebration in Portland after two years of virtual events. Attendees will enjoy a tasting selection of 150+ hard ciders from the industry’s leading cidermakers, many of whom will be on hand to guide guests through the available lineup.
“There is nothing like getting together—in person!—with friends and enjoying great cider in the fresh air,” said festival founder Alan Shapiro. “I am so excited to announce the return of Cider Summit to The Fields Park. After two years away, I think it will be a wonderful celebration of our local cider community!”
Event hours are Friday, June 10, from 3pm to 8pm (a VIP session allows early entry at 2pm) and Saturday, June 11, from Noon to 5pm. The last pour is 15 minutes prior to the close of each day’s session.
Hard cider continues to be a fast-growing alcoholic beverage category in the United States, with sales increasing from $44 million in 2008 to $506 million in 2018. Sales continue to increase, growing 4.5% over the last two years, with regional ciders growing at an even stronger clip, increasing 11%.
In addition to cider tasting, Cider Summit Portland will also feature: live music from several of Portland’s top blues artists; a dog lounge co-hosted by Portland Pet Food and DoveLewis; a fruit spirits and cider cocktail lounge; a harvest cider pavilion showcasing traditional cidermaking from the orchard; and an on-site retail store featuring select cider bottles and cans to go along with event merchandise. Several food vendors will also have food available for purchase and sampling.
A selection of cidermakers will also participate in the sixth annual Oregon Fruit Products Fruit Cider Challenge, creating specialty pilot batch fruit ciders using Oregon Fruit Products puree. Attendees vote for their favorite cider via text, and the winners are announced at the conclusion of the event on Saturday.
Event tickets are on sale now at http://www.cidersummit.com; discounted tickets are available through April 30. General admission tickets include a souvenir tasting glass and 12 tasting tickets, and cost $25 if purchased before May 1; $30 if purchased between May 1 and June 9; and $40 at the gate. VIP tickets include a souvenir tasting glass, 16 tasting tickets, and one-hour-early admission on opening day, and cost $35 if purchased before May 1, and $40 if purchased between May 1 and June 9. Quantities are limited and may run out. Designated driver tickets are available for $5 only at the gate and include a bottle of water. Minors are not allowed at the festival.
Cider samples cost one ticket per taste, with additional tasting tickets available onsite. All tickets allow reentry on Friday and Saturday with an attached wristband and the current year’s tasting glass.
Cider Summit Portland sponsors include Cider Bite Cider House, Oregon Fruit Products, Portland Pet Food Co., Canopy by Hilton Hotel and Maletis Beverage. Media partners include iHeartMedia, Portland Mercury, and CIDERCRAFT Magazine. The event is a benefit for Cascade Blues Association, Northwest Cider Association, DoveLewis Emergency Pet Hospital, Red Cross Ukraine Emergency Appeal and The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research.
For more information, visit CiderSummit.com and follow @CiderSummit on social media, hashtag #CiderSummitPDX.